A woman sought by Milwaukee police in connection with the deaths of a woman and two of the woman's children in a south side fire early Friday morning was found dead Friday evening, police said.

The body of Brittney Robertson, 19, was found on the northwest side about 6:15 p.m., according to a police news release.

The release did not say how Robertson died or where her body was found, however the Milwaukee County medical examiner's office confirmed that it was contacted about a shooting in the area of N. 101st and W. Kiehnau Ave. about the time Robertson's body was found.

Robertson lived in the near south side duplex where the fire was reported early Friday morning, and police spent the day searching for her and the infant son of the woman found dead in the home.

The mother and two children were identified as Rachael Thompson, 24; Torian Thompson-Carter, 4; and Jaden Thompson-Carter, 3. Their bodies were removed from a charred upper unit of a duplex in the 800 block of S. 12 St. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

At an afternoon news conference, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said of the three deaths in the fire, "We are investigating this as a homicide."

"The baby was left on the sidewalk in a baby carrier," Flynn said. "The baby is in good condition. The investigation as to how the child went missing is continuing."

According to online state court records, a bench warrant was issued for Robertson in September for failing to appear in court on a charge of possession with intent to deliver prescription drugs.

Flynn said that while he could not comment on the particulars because of the investigation, "we do have a working theory of this case."

Terry Visor, 44, who identified himself as the grandfather of 6-week-old Maurice Visor, said the infant's father, also named Maurice Visor, was in the House of Corrections and had been there for three months.

Terry Visor said his son was involved with Rachael Thompson, but he is not the father of the two children who were found dead.

"I'm thankful my son is not here or he would probably be dead," Terry Visor said, standing near the duplex.

Visor said he had been working first shift at Rexnord when his mother called him at work.

"She was freaked out. She said the house had burned and that Maurice Jr. was missing," he said.

Visor said he immediately went to the District 2 police station to get more information and then went to the scene, where he was told by police that his grandson had been found and was safe at the church.

"How he got there I have no idea," he said. "I'm thankful the baby is OK. He's a beautiful little boy. "I'm going to go home and thank God."

Jeremiah Baldwin, 32, who lives next door to Thompson's duplex, said he had been up all night working on his computer when someone living in the downstairs apartment of Thompson's building rang his doorbell and said "come look."

He said he then called 911 at 4:58 a.m., and firetrucks responded.

Baldwin said he knew Thompson and had helped her move into the upstairs apartment around the Fourth of July.

"We would sit outside and talk," he said.

Many in the neighborhood remember seeing the two children playing.

"The two kids used to run around all the time," said Elias Gonzalez. "It's just very sad."

Jesse Garza and Bruce Vielmetti of the Journal Sentinel staff and correspondent Samantha Jacquest contributed to this report.

About Crocker Stephenson

Crocker Stephenson covers urban affairs and city government. He has won many regional and national awards for his stories concerning public health, child welfare, poverty, urban life and welfare reform.